Waste-pipe cleaner



July 30, 1925). F. E. WILT a WASTE PIPE CLEANER Filed April 9) 1928 Passed July so, 1929.

PATENT OFF-ICE.

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WASTE-PIPE CLEANER. I

Application ma April 9,

The object'of this invention is to provide a simple tool for use in unplugging the waste-pi of sinks, basins, bath tubs, etc., as more y hereinafter set forth. 7 p

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a SIde elevation of my device comp ete';

F1 2Qis a transverse sectional view on the 11118, 92-2 of Fig. 1;

line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view on the Referring to the creme-characters, 5 desi ates a frame in which is journalled a sha 6 carrying a drivwith a crank or handle 8 for manual rota-- ing-gear 7, this driving-gear being provided tion. The frame 5 is provided with a grasping hand1e 9, and at the other end there is journalled a rigid shaft 10 carxng' a pinion 11 meshing with the aforesaid ivmg-gear 7. By this mechanism, the operator, by grasping with one hand the handle 9, may rotate the shaft .10 by means of the crank-handle 8.

Attached to. the lower end of the shaft 10, by means of aremovable cou ling-sleeve 12, is a lon flexible shaft 13, which is desirably -made 0 closely-wound steel wire, this flexl- 'ble shaft being a well-known article on the market. This flexible shaft 13 threads through a clamp which consists of a air of blocks 14 clamped together on said exible shaft by means of a pair of clamp-screws 15.

This clamp 14 forms virtually a nut, since by revolving the flexible shaft 13 the clampblocks ensure the advancement or retardation of the shaft 13, the coils of the flexible shaft serving as screw-threads.

To anchor the divided mat 14-1-14 to the wasteipe '0 ning rovi e a 0 am consisting of a threailed bolt 16 carry ing a thumb-nut '17 which clamps against the upper face of one of the blocks 14. The bo t 16 extends down through the clam blocks and is provided with a hook 18. y means of this bolt-clamp, the clamp-nut may be readily anchored over the waste-pi e opening. The hook 18'clamps against t e annular edge of the waste-pipe opening or against one of the grating-bars thereof so that the double clamp-nut 14.'-14 may t us be rigidly mounted in place over the waste opening. v

At t e lower end of the coil-spring shaft 13, there may be provided any suitable device for digging into the material packed or drawing annexed by ref-f 1928. Serial 80. 238,788.

jammed in the trap or other part of the waste-pipe; in the present instance, I show the end of the shaft permanently bent laterally and provided with a knob 19, but it will shaft. The blocks 14 forming the clam nut may be made of wood or other su ciently-soft material to form its own threads when clamped upon the spirally-coiled shaft 13. I have in practice used both wood and rubber, but any other material may be used. In this way, it is unnecessar to employ either a threaded shaft for a. vancin the cleaner-member or a previouslyor speciallythreaded'nut, since, as stated, by the mere clamping of the members 14 upon the spirally-wound wire 13 the necessary threads are formed in the blocks 14 to ensure screwthread action. The flexible-wire shaft 13 is made long enough- -say, a yard or so-to' enable the operator to stand at a suitable distance from the clamp-nut 14 an d at the same time giving suflicient length to permit the the waste-pipe. The shaft 13 has sufiicient flexibility to enter and pass through the most 13 which is above shaft to enter a considerable distance into operator may stand at any position with reference to the waste openin thereby enabling this device to be us in locations that are diflicult for a plumber to reach in ,the ordinary way with any other powerdriven tool of-which I am aware.

It will be understood that the spiral-wire shaft maybe of different lengths and also various sizes, for use in different kinds of work, and it will be noted that the use of the removable coupling-sleeve 12 enables different flexible shafts to be attached to the same manual-power device.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my inventlon, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodlment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the ap at... disclosed is. only illuswhen thus clam 'e'iigaethesha opening.

a clamp adapted to be clamped on said coilspring shaft, the material of this clamp being sufliciently soft to form its own threads d on the shaft, and means for anchoring t is clamp-over a waste open- 2. In'a tool of the class described, a driving mechanism, a coil-spring shaft connected to said driving mechanism and provided at its end with a digging or boring device, a two-part clamp-nut and means for clam ing it on this coiliptring shaft, the faces w ich clam on the shaft, and means for anchormg this two-part clamp over a waste a. A tool of the class described embodying a driving mechanism, a flexible collsprmg shaft, a clamp threadedfinteriorilly and means for clamping it on said- 00 spring shaft, and adjustable devices for anchoring thls clamp over a waste opening,

driv-v ing mechanism, a flexible coil-spring shaft,

being of soft material to there y form its own screw-threads when mg a shaft, a support, and adjustable'means for anchoring this sup rt over a waste opening said flexible s aft extendin throu b.

said support, means'being provi ed on t e gflpgfrt for engaging the threads of the a I v 5. A tool of the class described embodying a driving means, a flexible coil-spring shaft, a support, and adjustable means for" anchoring this sup rt over a waste'opening, said flexible s aft extendin 'throu 11 said support, means being provi ed on t e supptort for; engaging the threads of the sha ,-said anchoring means embodying a bolt extending through the sup ort and having its lower end provided W15! a hook.

and its upper end provided with a thumbnut.

6. A tool comprising a flexible coiled shaft, means for rotati the same, a support through which 'sai shaft passes, and means on said support engaging said shaft whereby rotation of said shaft with respect thereto feeds said shaft through said sup- 7. A tool comprisin a flexible coiled shaft, the coils of w 'ch form threads, means for rotat' the same, a support through which sa i shaft is threaded, and means whereby rotation of said shaft with respect thereto feeds said shaft through said is testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my. signature.

4. A tool of the class described emhody- I driving means, aflexible coil-spring RANK E. WILT. 

